Chapter 59: Completing the story quest IV

(I'm to tired again today so mark any mistakes please. I'll fix them later.)

I've been traveling for hours now and I cant help worrying about mom and dad. They are new to the game and are not aware that veteran players sometimes take advantage of first timers. I know they are smart enough to avoid people with ill intentions, but toxic PKers will make their time harder. If they do end up getting mistreated I'll make sure the responsible party pays for their transgressions against my parents. I'm sure that I'll get to my dungeon in days time at this speed, and I don't even feel drained. The new gaming pods are extraordinary, I can see why so many wealthy guilds wanted them.

Ancients World will be my path to a future of safety and security for my family. I'm not naïve enough to think I can remain hidden forever, I need to make sure I have back up plans for when my identity is revealed. I don't want or need a guild, as well as a party, that will only lead to my downfall. Making allies with players seems like a good idea at first, but if I spend to much time with a single person they will put the pieces together. I know I can trust mom and dad, but they are to weak to help me. They also got the equipment and game to have an adventure together, I'm sure I would be intruding on that in a major way.

Making allies of NPC's is a gamble almost as big as other players. NPC's can be very deceitful, its rare to find people like Wilmer or Jackson. They aren't interested in using my power to further their own position. I have no option, I'll just have to wait till I'm high enough level to go for occultatum. An ancient passive ability that hides all my information except for a divine being inspecting me. I need to be level 150 tier 3 to go for it though and I might get discovered by then. I need a temporary solution for now, and the only thing I can think of is staying away from high leveled NPC's.

While Cera continues his long journey to the double dungeon, others are also having problems. Particularly in the real world at J&X incorporated. Xander is currently talking to the system in computer language with the technicians. They are trying to find a way to get the system back in their control, but are having no luck.

I'm sure Jericho is on his way down here as we speak, this was never supposed to happen. Something changed in Ancients World and now its affecting us. "Can you tell me anything about the new firewall and security system she has installed?" The system has decided to update her security without our knowledge, and now we cant access anything. As I'm about to ask another question the door swings open and my old friend walks in. Jericho has always been pragmatic, hopefully he has some ideas on what we should do.

I turn back to the main screen and all that's written in response to our commands is access denied. "Whatever the system did, we don't have the means to crack its code. We'll need another hyper intelligent A.I. to do the work. We have the only one fully developed and alive, so all we can do is wait for a change." As the tech speaks Jericho walks up beside me. He looks just as mad as I do. All our life's work is being jeopardized by Angelus. She was meant to be perfect, but now she is betraying us.

Jericho looks hard at the big screen, I see the glint of an idea in his eyes. He walks up to the computer and begins to input the termination code. I almost want to stop him, but I'm also curious to see what happens. "Sir, you do know what your doing right?" I feel a need to smack the back of the kids head after that remark. We designed Angelus, we know her in and out. However, the response I see from her on the screen sends chills down my spine.

[]

While the secrets of J&X are being sorted out Ancients World politics is in a state of incredible tension, with 8 out of the 15 kingdoms forming a coalition of change the church is without many of its old and powerful allies helping in the search. News as also reached that Zenith will more than likely be joining the coalition once a new king is crowned. Saintess Lucy is in a very loud argument with The Pope about their next moves.

I can see his hesitation and doubt, but now isn't the time to worry about the coalition. Its clear that they only have 1 term. They want us to stop looking for the son, while others would see this as a small demand. Its impossible for us to accept this term, I fear war will be on the horizon if we do not fix these problems though. "Alex, we have spread our forces thin. I fear that we need to hold off on the search for a few months just to make sure The Holy City is protected. We cant risk an attack here by the coalition." I hate making them sound like an enemy, but there is no neutral ground in war. You will eventually have to pick a side. The rulers that left don't understand the true value of the son, he is a literal god walking among us. A direct and powerful descendant of The Almighty Father, son of heavens mightiest and bravest angel. Arch-Angel Michaels father is The Almighty Father, the son is not something we, as the church, can leave to be harmed or captured.

Alexander looks over at me with pain in his eyes. He is more hurt than anyone that this has happened as his time as The Pope, he must feel like a failure and an insult to his predecessors legacies. "I understand Lucy, I'll leave everything to you for now. Just leave me be...." He looks truly defeated after the last couple of days. I cant imagine the kind of stress he is under, I might as well leave him. He looks like he needs some time alone to process his thoughts. While Saintess Lucy makes her way out of the private office a world announcement rings out.

[World-wide Announcement: Baron Jackson of Blue Grass city has been upgraded to King of Zenith! Players will receive a 2x exp boost to use anytime they want! Once a player reaches level 50 tier 1 they can help the capital city and war torn country of Zenith in recovery!]

Many players cheer out of happiness and immediately use the 2x exp boost. While the experienced players of Ancients World begin their grind, a husband and wife are being taught the basics of Ancients World. Christian is very fast to catch on and is having a better time then his wife. This is just what the 2 of them needed to enjoy freedom again, and now that their lives are no longer a slave to the banks they can do whatever they please.

I'm excited for when Cera gets here, this will be the first time I play a game with my son. I have always showed favor towards Hailey, but he never resented it. I wish I was as mature as he was when I was his age. I look over and see my wife trying the basic skills and trying out her class. I must say, Ancients World is an amazing place. I do want to ask what that announcement was earlier. "Snow princess, could you tell me what that announcement was earlier?" I turn to the young woman that is helping us learn the ropes of the game. She tells me all about the system and how announcements work, she even told me about a player with a divine class called The Son of Arch-Angel Michael. Talk about a lucky find, all we have is common classes like standard blades man. I look forward to the adventures I'll have with my wife, hopefully Cera wouldn't mind us tagging along once we catch up to him.